Inez Kienholz, age 93, of Fairfax formerly of Bird Island, died Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Fairfax Community Home in Fairfax. Funeral Services will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Bird Island United Methodist Church with Rev. Byron Perrine officiating. Burial is in Bird Island City Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Bird Island and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred.

Inez M. Fanjoy Kienholz was born May 17, 1918, to Wellington and Anne (Roetsch) Fanjoy in Fairfax, MN. She was baptized, confirmed and married at the United Methodist Church in Fairfax. After graduation from Fairfax High School, she attended business school, and the Francis Nystrom Beauty College in Minneapolis. Inez received her manager’s license and after managing several shops she started work in Bird Island in the winter of 1946. It was at this time she met Don Kienholz and they were joined in marriage June 7, 1948. Inez continued her work as a beauty operator, while assuming the responsibilities of family life and community service. Her countless hours of dedicated effort to a host of local and regional organizations will be her legacy and an inspiration to all who knew her. To Inez, the demands of various organizations and community service were not an imposition on her time. It was an honor and a natural extension of her life and duties as she saw them. Among Inez’s favorites were the Methodist Church, Women’s Society and Decision Hills Bible Camp; the Eastern Star; the American Cancer Society; the Red Cross; the American Heart Fund; the Renville County Fair, serving for 38 years; and the American Legion Auxiliary where she was 7th District President 1960-61, a Girl State Councilor for 20 years, a Department President 1968-69, she also served on several national committees and attended 20 National Conventions. In 1984, Inez lost her eyesight, but with the generosity of the Bird Island Lions Club she was able to obtain a leader dog, Sundance, who was a dependable and loved companion.

Inez is survived by her two sons; Harvey and (Jan) Kienholz of Fridley, Charles (and Gwen) Kienholz of Brainerd, her daughter-in-law Shirl Kienholz of Bloomington, her brother Luverne Fanjoy of Richfield, her sister Phyllis Werkman of Little Falls, her 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Inez was preceded in death by her husband, Don, her son Luverne, her sister Beatrice and her granddaughter Nicole.

Blessed Be Her Memory